Norseman triathlon drew 226

August 5, 2013

This year’s Norseman Xtreme Triathlon attracted 226 participants who subjected themselves themselves to an extraordinary workout from the Hardanger Fjord to the top of Mt Gaustad during the weekend. It was won by an extreme athlete from Switzerland, Markus Stierli.

Newspaper Aftenposten reported that Stierli used 11 hours and 25 minutes to complete the annual endurance contest that draws participants from around the world. They all have to swim, cycle and run a distance of 226 kilometers that involves an altitude rise of 5,000 meters.

“Everyone is in great pain,” event chief Kalle Jensen told Aftenposten before Saturday’s event drew to a close. “At the same time, everyone wants to cross the finish line before time is up.”

The event is billed as the world’s most demanding triathlon, and Aftenposten noted that participants included 40-year-old Jeffrey Glasbrenner of the US, who lost a leg in an accident on his family farm in Wisconsin when he was a child. He has since taken part in the Paralympics and completed 20 of the world’s toughest triathlons. He finished the Norseman in 16 hours and 19 minutes and now intends to spend a few days relaxing on holiday in Norway.